Worker Voice: How Tech Workers Are Speaking Up At Work & Beyond

Описание: Worker voice refers to the ability of workers to represent and pursue their interests in their workplace and beyond in ways that improve their working conditions and livelihoods. Worker voice brings workers’ perspectives and needs to the table when decisions about them are being made. Worker input can prevent bosses from making choices that are harmful to workers and can even lead to innovative solutions to workplace problems that benefit the workers and the work itself.

While workers are highly vulnerable to technological harms, they are also best positioned to advocate for a different and more inclusive approach to tech design, based on their unique expertise. As Amanda Ballantyne, Jodi Forlizzi, and Crystal Weise write, “Workers’ voices are a crucial resource for making innovative technologies trusted and effective, so their full benefits can be realized for society.”

On January 27th, 12-1 pm PST we heard directly about how tech workers are choosing to speak up, lessons they’ve learned in the process, and ways in which workers can spark that voice in other colleagues. German Calderon, Sr. Manager, Community Outreach & Engagement, and Tim Newman, SVP of Labor at TechEquity, moderated the conversation. Panelists included:

Tahlia Kirk, Alphabet Workers Union
Lisa Kresge, Senior Researcher in the Technology and Work Program @ UC Berkeley Labor Center
Varun Iyengar, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice